Composite billet and manufacture thereof



June 10, 1947. w. L. KEENE ETAL 2,421,391

COMPOSITE BILLET AND MANUFACTURE THEREOF Filed larch 1a, 194:5

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Patented June 10, 1947 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMPOSITE BILLET AND MANUFACTURE THEREOF WalterL. Keene, Dormont, and William A. canson, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignorsto Superior Steel Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pa, a corporation of Virginia This invention relates to composite billets and the manufacture .thereof. It relates more parin place. Various improvements have been made in the invention disclosed in this early patent, a

number of the more recent and commercially important improvements being disclosed and claimed in copending applications owned by our assignee, Superior Steel Corporation. A number of the recent improvements have been made in connection with the development of strip consisting of steel clad on both sides with gilding metal for the manufacture of ammunition components such as bullet jackets.

Heretofore in the manufacture of. composite Application March 18, 1943, Serial No. 479,588 8 Claims. (01. 29-1875) the backing member can be overcome by provid-- ing a space between at least one edge of each facing member and the laterally adjacent portion of the flange cooperating with such edge. Desirably such spaces may be provided at both edges of the. facing members. The provision of such space or spaces allows for substantial differential expansion between the facing members and the backing member and we find that when such spaces are provided no diiflculty is encountered with bowing up of the facing members during heating and/or rolling and consequent entry of billets by the application of facing members to a flanged backing member and the holding of the facing members in place by the flanges offthe' backing member it has been consideredimportant that the flanges of the backing member closely embrace theedges of the facing members so as to hold them firmly in position. However, we have discovered that close embracemen-t of the edges of the facing members by the flanges of the backing member is not always desirable and indeed in some instances is definitely undesirable. Difficulty has been encountered in the making and rolling of bimetallic billets by reason of the entry of air between the backing and facingmembers during heating and/ or rolling which prevents proper bonding and results in the production of virtually worthless strip. This condition has been found to exist, for example, in the making of silver clad steel strip. The difficulty apparently arises through the relatively great differential expansion of silver over [steel upon heating, which causes the Silver facing members of the bimetallic billet, whose edges are closely confined by the flanges of the steel backing member, to bow up slightly, allowing the entry of air. We have found that this difficulty incident to the making and rolling of composite billets comprising a flanged backing member with facing members held in place by the flanges of air between the backing member and facing members. l

The provision of the space or spaces just mentioned is also of advantage generally in theemaking and rolling of composite billets as it allows room for slight minor adjustments of position between the backing member and facing members during rolling without imposing substantial strains on the billet components, even though there were no differential expansion.

In the making of composite billets comprising a flanged backing member with facing members held in place thereon by the flanges thereof it has heretofore been customary to produce the flanged billet components orbacking members by roll ng. Thismethod of production has advantages, particularly in quantity production of a standardized item, as'large numbers of flanged backing members can bemore economically produced by rolling than otherwise. However, the production of the flanged backing membersby rolling has certain disadvantages which prior to the present invention have not been overcome. It is difficult to produce by rolling flanged backing members above certain widths, so if exceptionally wide strip is desired the cost of the backing members is high out of proportion. Moreover, if very narrow-strip is to be produced either special flanged billet components must be rolled, necessitating an outlay for special rolls, or strip made from relatively wide billets must be slit.

.In the latter case there is considerable waste wider billet is substantially an exact multiple of unless the width of the strip produced by the the width of the narrower strip desired.

Moreover, the metal comprising the flanges of the flanged component of a composite billet constitutes a substantial part of the metal of the component as a whole and when such a component is made by rolling the flanges must perforce be of the same metal as the body of the component. If the body of the component is of a relatively costly metal the making of the flanges out of the same metal unnecessarily increases the cost of the billet as the flanges do not form part of the finished strip but are sheared off after rolling.

We have overcome all of the disadvantages above outlined which are inherent in the use of rolled flanged billet components. We provide a flanged billet component which is not rolled but which comprises a body portion which may be in the form of an ordinary plate or rectangular rolled section with flanges attached thereto by welding or other means. Such a component has great advantages in economy and flexibility. By selecting a body portion of suitable width and welding the opposed flanges thereto at or adja-- cent its edges a tailor made backing member may be produced which will avoid any scrap loss other than the shearing off of the flanges, which always occurs. The flange may be of metal different from the metal of the body portion of the component.

We have found that when a space or spaces is or are to be left between one or both of the flanges of a flanged backing member and an edge or edges of a facing member to be held in place against the backing member by the flanges, the flanges should have their extremities extending generally toward one another before the facing member is applied so that after the facingmember is applied the extremities of the flanges can be forced down against the outer surface of the facing member to hold it in place while still leaving the spaces at the lateral edges of the facing member. Our invention is of particular value in such circumstances as the production by rolling of a flanged billet component with the extremities of the opposed flanges extending generally toward one another prior to application of a facing member therebetween is economically impossible and the formation of overhung flanges by machining is virtually in the same category. We solve the problem in a most simple and effective way by welding or similarly fastening to the body por-' tion of the component flange members having their extremities extending generally toward one another. Such flange members are preferably of angular or L shape. Thus our invention is of importance both in relation to the feature of providing space between a facin member and the flanges of a backing member to which it is connected and also in relation to the economical manufacture of various widths of strip and the economical manufacture of strip using a billet the body portion of Whose flanged backing member is of relatively expensive metal.

Other details, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description of certain present preferred embodiments thereof and certain present preferred methods of practicing the same proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown certain present preferred embodiments of the invention and have illustrated certain present preferred methods of practicing the same, in which Figure 1 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional view through components of a composite billet assembled ready for final fastening together;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical transverse cross-sectional view similar to the left-hand por-' tion of Figure 1 showing the inwardly directed extremity of one of the flanges which are welded to the body of the backing member pressed down against the outer surface of the facing member to hold it in place; and

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical transverse cross-sectional view similar to the left-hand portion of Figure l but showing a modified structure.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown in Figures 1 and 2 a backing member designated generally by reference numeral 2 and which comprises a body portion 3 and flanges 4, together with a facing member 5.

Only two flanges are shown, but it is to'be understood that the flanges shown at the top of Figure 1 may be duplicated at the bottom so that strip faced or clad both top and bottom may be made. Since the manner of attaching the bottom facing member would be the same as the manner of attaching the top facing member the bottom flanges and facing member are omitted from the drawr logs for simplicity.

The body portion 3 of the backing member 2 may be a plate or rolled section of steel or other metal of desired characteristics. In the form shown it is of rectangular vertical cross section and uniform cross section throughout its length so may and ordinarily will be a rolled section. The flanges 4 are not formed integral with the body portion 3 by rolling but are fastened to the body portion, as by welding. Welding material 6 s shown positioned in the exterior corners between the body portion and the flanges whereby the flanges are strongly held in place and become in effect integral portions of the backing member 2 The flanges 4 are shown as of angular or inverted L shape with their extremities 1 extending generally toward one another. .Initially the flange extremities are spaced from the upper surface of the body portion 3 sufficiently to allow the facing member 5 to be freely inserted longitudinally between the flanges. Ordinarily the facing member will be thus inserted as the inturned flange extremities would probably interfere with insertion of the facing membe in any other way.

The flanges 4 may be of metal similar to or dissimilar from the metal of the body portion 3, one advantage of the structure shown being that if the body portion 3 is made of relatively expensive metal the cost can be reduced by using flanges of relatively inexpensive metal Where as with an integral rolled flanged section the flanges are of necessity of the same metal as the body portion. Likewise the attaching of the flanges to the body portion by welding makes it feasible to employ flanges with inturned extremities which could not economically or practicably be employed in integral rolled sections. The employment of such flanges in turnmakes feasible the provision of spaces 8 between the lateral edges of the facing member 5 and the portions of the flanges below the extremities thereof as clearly shown in Figur 1. If the flanges simply stood up straight prior to being deformed to hold the facing member in place it would be virtually impossible to turn them down about the edges of the facing member and still leave the spaces 8 whose advantages we have pointed out above. Satisfactory results ma ordinarily be obtained by the provision of a space 8 at one edge only of the facing member, although we prefer to provide such spaces at both edges. If only one space is provided it should be twice as wide as each space if two are provided. The width of the space or spaces between the edges of the facing member and the portions of the flanges of the backing member opposite the edges of the facing member should be determined to allow for whatever relative expansion will occur when the billet is heated to hot rolling temperature and rolled, taking into ditions.

consideration the coefficients of expansion of the metalsemployed.

After the members 2 and 5 are assembled shown in Figurel the flange. extremities l are.

pressed or peined down against the outer surface of the facing member 5 as shown in Figure 2. This may be done by rollingor otherwise. By

reason of the fact that the extremities of the "flanges extend generally toward oneanother prior to their being deformed to hold the facing memher, the facing member can be held in place without eliminating the spaces 8. n

The welded joints formedbetween the body portion '3 and the flanges 4 as shown in Figures 1 and 2 are exceptionally strongyasthewelding 6 or peined over against the facing member. This further shows the advantage of using the angular or L-shaped flanges.

Another advantage incident to the use of flanges on the backing member Whose extremities extend generally toward one another priorto peining is that the peining or pressing of the flanges down against the facing member may be material 6 lies in the longitudinally extending.

reference numerals but each with a prime aflixed.

The difference between the structure of Figure 3 and that of Figure 1 is that in Figure 3 the body portion 3 of the backing member 2' is somewhat narrower than in Figural; the flanges 4 being positioned flush with the edges of the body portion 3' and the welding material 6' spanning the upper edge of the body portion. This does not accomplished by ordinary cylindrical rolls and special rollsare not necessary as is the case when the flanges have to be turned laterally and downwardly from an initiall upright position.

While we have shown and described certain present preferred embodiments of. the invention and certain present preferred methods of practicing the same it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

We claim: 1. A composite billet comprising a metallic backing member, opposed generally L-shaped flanges welded to 'thebacking member with one leg of each flange extending generally at right angles to a faced the backing member and having its extremity butting against said face and with the other legs of the flanges extending make as strong a weld as in the structure of portion both the body portion and the flanges must be of weldable metal. Purely, byway of sin ample, the body portion may be, of low or high, carbon steel, Austenitic manganese steel, stainless stecl, copper, etc. The facing or cladding metal may be any metalwhich can be bonded to the backing metal to produce a bimetallic strip. For example, the facing metal may be of gliding metal, stainless steel, copper, silver, etc. Like- If the flanges are welded to the body wise the flanges may be of any suitable metal, but

since their function is simply to hold the facing or cladding metal in place during rolling andthey are afterwards sheared off they are ordinarily of A further advantage of the invention is that if the body portion of the backing member is made of high carbon steel and the flanges are made of low carbon steel no annealing of the flanges prior to deformation thereof against the facing member is necessary as might be the case if the entire backing member including the flanges were rolled or otherwise formed of high carbon steel. Annealing of the flanges would in all likelihood be necessary if they were 05 high:

carbon steel and rolled integrally with the body portion of the backing member so that they would stand straight up and have to be subjected to a relatively great amount of work in being turned toward each other and a metallic facing member disposed against said face of the backing member between the. first mentioned legs of the flanges with the second mentioned legs of the flanges overlying a. minor portion thereof and held in place against the backing member by the flanges.

2. A composite billet comprising a metallic backing member, opposed generally L-shaped flanges welded to the backing member with one leg of each flange extending generally at right angles to a face of the backing member and having its extremity butting against said face and with the other legs of theflanges extending toward each otherjand a metallic facing member disposed against said face of the backing member betweenthe first mentionedrlegs. of the flanges with the second mentionedlegs of the flanges overlying a minor portion thereof, spaced from at least one of said first mentioned legs and held in place ,against the backing member by the flanges. i

3. A composite billet comprising a metallic backing member, opposed generally L-shaped flanges welded to the'backing member with one ward each other and a metallic facing member disposed against said face of the backing member between the first mentioned legs of the flanges with the second mentioned legs of the flanges overlying ,a minor portion thereof and held in place against the backing member by the second mentioned legs only of the flanges.

4'. Acomposite billet comprising a metallic backing member. opposed generally L-shaped metallic flanges of metal different from the metal of the backing member welded to the'backing member with one leg of each flange extending generally at right angles to a face of the backing member and having its extremity butting against said face and with the other legs of the flanges extending toward each other and a metallic facing member disposed against said face of the f backing member between the first mentioned legs of the flanges with the second mentioned legs of the flanges overlying a minor portion thereof and held in place against the backing member by the flanges.

5. A composite billet comprising a metallic backing member, opposed generally L-shaped flanges positioned parallel to but spaced inwardly from opposed edges of the backing member with one leg of each flange extending generally at right angles to a face of the backing member and having its extremity butting against said face and with the other legs of the flanges extending to-,

ward each other, fillet welds disposed in the corners defined by the outer faces of the first mentioned flange legs and the portions of said face of the backing member disposed between the flanges and the edges of the backing member whereby the flanges are fastened to the backing member and a metallic facing member disposed against said face of the backing member between the first mentioned legs of the flanges with the second mentioned legs of the flanges overlying a minor portion thereof and held in place against the backing member by the flanges.

6. A composite billet comprising a metallic backing member, opposed generally L- shaped flanges positioned at opposed edges of the backing member with one leg of each flange extending generally at right angles to a face of the backing member and having its extremity butting against said face and with the other legs of the flanges extending toward each other, flush welds connecting the outer face of the first mentioned flange legs with the sides of the backing member whereby the flanges are fastened to the backing member and a metallic facing member disposed against said face of the backing member between the first mentioned legs of the flanges with the second mentioned legs of the flanges overlying a minor portion thereof and held in place against the backing member by the flanges.

'7. A method of making a composite billet comprising welding to a metallic backing member opposed generally L-shaped flanges with one leg of each flange extending generally at right angles to a face of the backing member and having its extremity butting against said face and with the other legs of the flanges extending toward each other, then positioning a metallic facing member against said face of the backing member with its edges between said face of the'backing member and the second mentioned flange legs and pressing the second mentioned flange legs against the facing member to hold the facing member against said face of the backing member.

8. A method of making a composite billet comprising welding to a metallic backing member opposed generally L-shaped flanges with one leg of each flange extending generally atright angles to a face of the backing member and having its extremity butting against said face and with the other legs of the flanges extending toward each other, then positioning against said face of the backing member with its edges between said face of the backing member and the second men tioned flange legs a metallic facing member narrower than the space between the first mentioned flange legs, laterally positioning the facing member so that there is a substantial space between it and at least one of the first mentioned flange legs and pressing the second mentioned flange legs against the facing member to hold the facing member against said face of the backing member.

WALTER L. KEENE. WILLIAM A. CARLSO'N.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

